Coastin Carl
🥔 National TORTILLA CHIP Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
Although the precise birth of National TORTILLA CHIP Day is somewhat unclear, its celebration reflects the perpetual popularity of tortilla chips as a snack millions worldwide enjoy. We do know it’s celebrated on the 24th Day in February. Tortilla chips are dipped in salsa or guacamole or used as a base for nachos, salads, and casseroles. Their versatility makes them suitable for snacks, appetizers, and even main dishes.
Ancient ROOTS and the BIRTH of Tortillas
The story of tortilla chips traces back to the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica, including the Aztecs and Mayans, who crafted flatbreads from cornmeal. These early iterations of tortillas laid the foundation for the culinary tradition that would eventually give rise to tortilla chips. Mayan legend tells of the first tortilla as a gift to the king.
Rebecca Webb Carranza and her INNOVATION
In the 1940s, Rebecca Webb Carranza, co-owner of a tortilla factory in Los Angeles, played a pivotal role in the evolution of tortilla chips. Facing the challenge of minimizing waste, Carranza ingeniously repurposed misshapen or leftover tortillas from an automated tortilla machine by cutting them into triangular shapes.
She then fried these triangles until crispy, seasoned them with salt, and thus created the prototype for modern tortilla chips! These innovative snack chips were an instant hit among the factory’s workers, customers, and soon gained popularity in Mexican-American communities.
💙 RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalTortillaChipDay, #TortillaChipDay, #TortillaChips, #Tortillas, #FoodHolidays, #FebruaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National TORTILLA CHIP Day.
